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Original Content

[ALBUM & MV REVIEW] WEi - 'Identity: Challenge'

AKP STAFF
Posted by Lorr-Ye Friday, March 5, 2021

[This review reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of allkpop.]

Track List:

1. All or Nothing

2. Breathing

3. Dancing in the Dark

4. Diffuser

5. Winter, Flower

Identity: Challenge is WEi's second-ever mini-album, and these rookies do not disappoint. The members of WEi lead their album with the title track, "All Or Nothing," a brassy and loud EDM-heavy single. Powerful and rhythmic, this exciting title is a great start to a dynamic album.

"Breathing" follows "All Or Nothing" and offers a sweeter EDM-based melody that's a clear indication that the rest of the album would focus on an electronic sound overall, a choice that's slightly against the grain for typical K-Pop trends this quarter. "Breathing" is exhilarating and spontaneous with a chill-inducing drop that's interlaced with a phenomenal vocal performance. Track 3, "Dancing In The Dark," follows the EDM pattern with a trap beat that's highly percussive to the ear. There's more of a classic pop song in this track than the other songs that serves as a pleasant change-up. Not to mention, the falsetto is fantastic.

"Diffuser" is the album's first mid-tempo song that's bouncy and rhythmic with a subdued melody and sugary sweet vocals to boot. This dreamy pop song is delicate and youthful and a nice contrast to the rest of the more intense songs on the tracklist. "Winter, Flower" closes out this five-song mini album with a ballad that contains a soft and sublime song progression. This closer is a simple piano ballad that completes a dynamic album overall. Despite the intensity of "All Or Nothing," I preferred many of the B-sides to the title.

MV REVIEW

"All Or Nothing" offers a visual and colorful music video that's minimalist in the overall concept. The sets are artfully decorated but remain rather simple overall- however, the general feeling evoked is artistic rather than lackluster. Instead of opting for a complicated storyline, this MV focuses on the choreography as the main focus. There's a nice contrast between ice and fire, and the entire MV has a monochromatic element that's intriguing but not too original.

MV SCORE:

MV Relevance…..7

MV Production…..7

MV Concept……..6

MV Score: 6.67

ALBUM SCORE:

Album Production…...8

Album Concept……...8

Tracklisting…………...9

Album Score: 8.33

Overall: 7.5

Listen on Apple Music
  1. WEi
3 4,716 Share 76% Upvoted
 
GoldenRUi
GoldenRUi1 pt Friday, March 5, 2021 1
Friday, March 5, 2021

7.5 is a complete lie. this album is a perfect 10

i cant stop listening to it

i haven't gotten a kpop album this good in years

2 (+4 / -2)
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JVLIXN
JVLIXN3,713 pts Friday, March 5, 2021 0
Friday, March 5, 2021

I was bummed that they went to that generic sound for their title track for this comeback. Twilight was such a cute and unique (a la nu’est) bop. Songs from small companies are starting to all sound the same. 😕

-2 (+0 / -2)
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